Review of Environmental Factors (REFs)

Environmental Assessments

Our current REFs required to be published, if any, will be available here.

As a public authority, AlburyCity is responsible for maintenance, upgrades, replacement and construction of new essential infrastructures such as roads, water, wastewater, stormwater devices, sewerage, parks and sports facilities. NSW Government legislation generally refers to these projects as “activities”.

All activities that we undertake require assessment and approval under Part 5 of the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act). This ensures minimal environmental impact during construction and that the final construction and operation won’t cause additional impacts to residents or the environment.

Review of Environmental Factors (REF)

There are several assessment pathways that activities can take in NSW. One of these pathways use Part 5, Division 5.1 of the EP&A Act and preparation of a Review of Environmental Factors (REF). A REF examines the potential impacts of the activity on the environment and identifies ways to avoid, minimise, reduce and offset (if required) those impacts. A REF must be prepared in accordance with the NSW Department of Planning and Environment Guidelines for Division 5.1 assessments and be completed and determined before a proponent undertakes an activity or a determining authority grants approval for an activity to be undertaken. As part of its responsibilities AlburyCity often has the dual role of proponent and determining authority for projects. Determining Authorities have the duty to consider, to the fullest possible extent, all matters relevant to activities affecting or likely to have impacts on the environment.

Publication requirements of environmental assessments

Clause 171(4) of the EP&A Regulation requires us to publish REFs for any activity that falls within at least one of the following:

• a capital investment value of more than $5 million

• an approval or permit for activities that require approval under:

• Fisheries Management Act 1994, sections 144, 200, 205 or 219

• Heritage Act 1977, section 57

• National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, section 90

• Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, sections 47–49 or 122

• development carried out under State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021, section 2.61A or 3.37A

• if the determining authority considers it to be in the public interest.

Accessibility 

A printed copy of any REFs published on this page can be made available upon request. Please email AlburyCity at info@alburycity.nsw.gov.au or phone 02 6023 8111 to advise of charges for this service.

Our current REFs required to be published, if any, will be available here.